A former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Sunday, said police operatives who arrested his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, during a church service at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama Obieri in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of the state, pushed his wife, Nkechi, down and tore the clothes of his first daughter, Uloma.

Okorocha, who briefed journalists at his Spilbat mansion in Owerri, the state capital, alleged that the state governor, Hope Uzodinma, deceived the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, into desecrating the church of worship by arresting Nwosu.

Okorocha who now represents Imo West at the Senate claimed that the state government wanted to frame Nwosu because of its “non-performance.”

Okorocha said that Uzodinma had not hidden his wickedness against him and the members of his household.

The senator said that he was waiting on the governor to name the sponsors of the insecurity in the state on January 3 or take responsibility for the killings in the state.

Okorocha urged the police to free his son-in-law or take him to court within the next 24 hours as enshrined in the constitution.

Okorocha said that though the Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Hussaini, had confirmed that Nwosu was being held in police custody, he had yet to establish contact with his son-in-law since he was arrested.

He said, “Uche Nwosu, my wife and daughter were at the church for an outing service, when a group of men in police uniform started shooting while the sermon was ongoing. In the course of their activities, they pushed down my wife and tore my daughter’s clothes. No warrant of arrest. No invitation. We suspected kidnapping at first. Many people were injured while running. Uche Nwosu was dragged into a bus carrying Imo State Government number plate.

“They were identified as policemen from Imo State Government House by their colleagues attached to Uche for the burial (of his mother). I got the CP who said that the IGP approved his arrest.

“The shock of such an arrest without warrant and humiliating members of my family is unfortunate. Most security operatives in Imo know nothing about the arrest. I don’t know what they framed up. The IGP could only do this on high-level misinformation from Hope Uzodinma. Over 100 gunshots to arrest Uche Nwosu. What kind of ruthless behaviour on an innocent citizen of Nigeria?

“Uzodinma wants to frame me up by all means. Uzodinma has to answer for most of the activities going on. Uzodinma must mention the names of those who are responsible for insecurity in Imo State or he should be held responsible for all the killings in the state. Uzodinma has framed up something against Uche Nwosu. Buhari should be informed about what is happening in Imo State. Hundreds of citizens are being killed in this state.” (Text, except for amended headline: Sunday PUNCH)

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